Steelers Adjust Kickoff Strategy After Johnson’s Mistake
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to revise their kickoff strategies following a critical error by rookie Kaleb Johnson during their recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Mike Tomlin indicated on Tuesday that Johnson “probably” would not handle kickoff returns in Week 3 due to a misjudgment that led to a touchdown for the Seahawks.
In the fourth quarter of the game, Johnson mistakenly allowed a kickoff from Jason Myers to bounce over his head and into the end zone. Under the NFL’s new kickoff rules, any ball landing between the goal line and the 20-yard line must be returned or downed by the receiving team, making it a live ball. This error enabled Seahawks backup George Holani to recover the ball for a touchdown.
Tomlin expressed his belief in Johnson’s potential, stating, “I’m certainly going to give [Johnson] an opportunity to work his way back from that.” He emphasized that Johnson’s future in the role will depend on his daily performance and commitment to improvement. “You give him an opportunity to move on from it, but he has to display that with his daily work,” Tomlin added.
While running back Kenneth Gainwell is another option for kickoff returns, Tomlin has not yet named a definite replacement for Johnson. During preseason, the Steelers also considered using running back Trey Sermon, currently on the practice squad, while second-year receiver Roman Wilson has some experience returning kicks from his time at Michigan.
Johnson acknowledged his mistake after the game, saying, “I just made a mistake. Got to stick to it, move on, and just continue to get better every day.”
Injuries Complicate Steelers’ Defense
In addition to the adjustments on special teams, the Steelers are grappling with injuries to several key defensive players. Both edge rusher Alex Highsmith and defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk have been ruled out for their upcoming game against the New England Patriots due to ankle sprains, with Loudermilk expected to miss multiple weeks. The status of other players, including Derrick Harmon (MCL sprain), DeShon Elliott (knee), and Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), is uncertain, and Tomlin described them as “questionable, at best.”
Inside linebacker Patrick Queen and cornerback Darius Slay also sustained injuries during the Seahawks game, but Tomlin remains optimistic about their availability for Sunday. The injuries have restricted the team’s defensive strategies, contributing to the Seahawks’ impressive offensive performance, which totaled 395 yards.
“Our defense wore down some, particularly as the game went on,” Tomlin stated. “Our lines got a little thin at various points in the game. I thought we felt the effects of that.” He also noted that the Steelers’ ability to adapt mid-game was hindered by the influx of new players and injuries.
As the Steelers prepare for their next matchup, Tomlin is focused on how his team will respond to these challenges. “You’ve got to man up, you got to acknowledge your shortcomings, and then you got to work to move beyond it,” he explained. The team’s resilience and ability to overcome these setbacks will be crucial as they aim to improve in the coming weeks.
